A judge denied pre-trial release for a convicted felon accused of unlawfully possessing a loaded gun, cocaine and fentanyl inside his McHenry home with multiple children inside.
Kenneth Price, 31, of McHenry, was charged with two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, armed habitual criminal, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, manufacture or delivery of cannabis, possession of cannabis, two counts of unlawful use or possession of weapons or ammunition by a convicted felon, endangering the health or life of a child and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges that in December 2023, Price knowingly possessed more than 15 but less than 100 grams of cocaine and fentanyl and more than 500 but not more than 2,000 grams of cannabis.
Price is also alleged to have unlawfully possessed a loaded Sig Sauer P226 pistol and several .40 caliber rounds as a convicted felon.
Price “knowingly caused or permitted multiple children under 18 years of age to be placed in circumstances that endanger the child’s life or health” when he “kept within reach and accessibility crack cocaine/fentanyl” at his residence in McHenry, the complaint said.
Price also allegedly attempted to push his way past a McHenry County sheriff’s detective after being told he was not allowed to go past the detective.
Price was indicted by the sheriff’s office and a judge issued an arrest warrant for him.
The warrant was served Price was arrested and booked into the McHenry County Jail on January 5.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition asking the court to deny Price’s pre-trial release under the SAFE-T Act, claiming that Price is a “real and present threat to the safety” of others and a flight risk.
McHenry County Judge Mark Facchini granted the state’s request to deny Price his pre-trial release.
Price appeared in court on Thursday for his arraignment.
He was appointed a public defender and is scheduled to appear for a status hearing on February 22.
Price has several past criminal cases in McHenry County.
In 2014, Price was found guilty of manufacture or delivery of cocaine, a Class 1 felony, and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.